Back in February Barnaby Joyce told a Fairfax reporter that the White Paper is scheduled for an “upcoming” Cabinet meeting and the final document to be out in “about” a month and a half.

And we can turn the clock back to 2013 when Tony Abbott promised that his government would deliver the White Paper within 12 months of coming to office.

“The White Paper will be conducted by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and will report within 12 months. Our White Paper will also provide a clear, well-defined and transparent strategic approach to ensure the agriculture sector remains a significant contributor to the Australian economy and local communities”.

The Coalition’s policy for a competitive Agriculture sector - August 2013

Tony Abbott and Barnaby Joyce cannot continue to promise farmers they’ll have answers to their questions when the white paper is released. For many of them, it will be too late.